1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Food poisoning might be described as a food borne diseases or food borne illness. Food that contains a toxin, chemical or infectious agent (like a bacterium, virus, parasite or prion) and causes symptoms in the body are considered types of food poisoning by most investigators. Those symptoms may be related only to the gastrointestinal tract causing vomiting or diarrhea or may involve other organs such as the kidney, brain or muscle (Charles, 2011).
Tribe et al., (2008) explains that food poisoning usually arises from improper handling, preparation or food storage. Good hygiene practice before, during and after food preparation can reduce the chances of contracting an illness. There is a consensus in the public health community that regular hand washing is one of the most effective defenses against the spread of food borne disease. The action of monitoring food to ensure that it will not cause food poisoning or diseases can also be caused by a large variety of toxins that affect the environment. Food borne illness can also be caused by substances like poisonous mushrooms or pathogenic microorganisms.
Tribe et al., (2008) further explains that bacteria are common cause of food borne illness. He further points out that in Nigeria during 2000, the individual bacteria involved were as follows.
Campylobacter jejumi 77.3%, salmonella 20.9%, Esherichia coli 1.4% and all other less than 0.1%.
In the past, bacterial infections were thought to be more preventive because few places had the capability to test for the particular agent.
Symptoms for bacterial infections are delayed because the bacteria need time to multiply. They are usually not seen until 12 – 72 hours or more after eating contaminated food.
Marases et al., (2007) highlighted that food poisoning/food borne diseases is caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, parasites or viruses. He further states that harmful chemicals can also cause food borne disease. If they have contaminated food during harvesting or processing. Food poisoning can cause symptoms which include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Most food borne infections are undiagnosed and unreported, though the center for disease control and prevention estimates that every year, about 76 million people in the United States become ill from pathogens or disease causing substance in food, (Katon and Chessbrought 2000).
Joffe, et al., (2002) pointed out that harmful bacteria are the most common cause of food borne illness or food poisoning. Some bacteria may be present in foods when they are purchased. Raw foods are the most common sources of food poisoning because they are not sterile. Examples includes: raw meat and poultry that may have become contaminated during slaughter. Sea food may become contaminated during harvest or through processing. One in 10,000 eggs may be contaminated with salmonella spp inside the egg shall. Products such as spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, spronts and melons can become contaminated with Salmonella, Shigella or Esherichia coli. during growth or through processing and distribution. Contamination may also occur, during food preparation in a restaurant or at home kitchen.
Robert, et al., (2007) states that the most common contamination from handled food is by a group of viruses known as the Norwalls. Infected kitchen workers can contaminate a salad or sandwich as they prepare it, if they have the virus on their hands.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Food is a substance consisting of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, lipid, minerals, vitamins, and condiment to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy to live. Some countries define food as a substance that is intended to be, or reasonably expected to be processed, partially processed, or unprocessed for consumption by humans. Major foods or foodstuffs are obtained through agriculture where only 4% of 250,000–300,000 are considered edible plant species, and only 150–200 are used by humans for cultivation (FAO, 1999) to intake, while milk, egg, meat, and fish are obtained from animals. Some cultures consume blood in the form of blood sausage or stews as jugged hare (Davidson, 2014). Usually fruits are eaten raw whereas most of the vegetables and animal foods and foodstuffs are prepared through cooking which involve washing, cutting, trimming, and adding other foods or ingredients to make the foods tasty. Some foods are also manufactured as packaged foods such as prepared meat, fried fish, fruits pickling and juices, beverages, chocolate products, potato chips, etc., which involve salting, curing, curdling, drying, pickling, fermenting, and smoking to prepare these foods which are available in many restaurants and food shops, and usually consumed in most of the cultures. However, sometimes these foods can be a cause of illness, even death due to possible contamination or adulteration.
The WHO estimates that almost 1 in 10 people fall ill from eating contaminated foods and causes 420,000 deaths every year globally, where about 30% are children under the age of 5 (WHO, 2015a, 2015b). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), >250 known foodborne diseases caused by 31 microbial pathogens (bacteria, fungus, viruses, or parasites) and prions and 48 million people gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3000 die each year in the United States (CDC, 2016; Scallan et al., 2011a, 2011b).
The rampant use of chemicals in cultivation, farming, manufacturing, cooking, packaging, distribution, and sale are also another major concern for food poisoning that leads to serious health risks and life threatening long-term diseases such as cancer (WHO, 2015a—Fact sheet). Now food safety has become a global issue. This guided the researcher to carry out this study on causes, effects and control of food poisoning.
1.3 Research Objectives
The main aim of this study is to investigate the causes, effects and control of food poisoning.
…
